Source: PA
Arshavin's plan for Rovers return
Andrey Arshavin has warned Blackburn that Arsenal will have some unfinished business at Ewood Park on Saturday.
The Gunners - who look to be closing in on the £6million signing of experienced French defender Sebastien Squillaci from Sevilla - suffered a 2-1 defeat to Rovers in early May, having just seen any lingering hopes of staying in the title race brought to an abrupt end after losses at Tottenham and Wigan.
Afterwards, manager Arsene Wenger accused Sam Allardyce's men of unfair tactics in showing "no purpose to play the ball" and also blamed referee Martin Atkinson for not providing his team with more protection.
It was not the first time the Gunners have come unstuck against such an approach - although they had thumped Rovers 4-0 in the same fixture two seasons ago.
Saturday's lunchtime kick-off is set to provide another test of character for a team Wenger believes can finally come of age this season, having thrashed newcomers Blackpool 6-0 last weekend to build on their point at Liverpool. Arshavin, who opened his account with a penalty against the Tangerines, feels victory at Ewood Park would serve a double purpose heading into the international break.
"We have a very important game against Blackburn," the Russian told his personal website, www.arshavin.com. "We should win in order to leave without any worries for a break caused by the participation of the players in the national teams, this will give confidence to the team. In addition, we haven't forgotten about the defeat against Blackburn at the end of the last season."
